News Release

SAINT-ANDRÉ (GNB) – The new annex at the École Régionale-de-Saint-André was officially inaugurated today. Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Marie-Claude Blais joined the students, parents, school staff, and members of the community to celebrate the completion of the renovations at the school.

“It is a great honour to celebrate this new phase of the École Régionale-de-Saint-André with the whole community,” said Blais. “This school, which became the first entrepreneurial community school in New Brunswick, has capitalized on community support and innovation in order to meet the needs of each child and help them reach their full potential.”

Since last fall, the students and staff have been enjoying the facilities, which have undergone a major facelift. The new annex added space for a gymnasium, a stage, resource classes, offices for student services, and an elevator. Also, a music room was created, the library was expanded, and the interior space was completely repainted.

“The new facilities will enable us to provide better services to our students,” said school principal Éric Desjardins. “They also benefit the entire community, which is very important, because here in Saint-André, the school-family-community ties are very strong.”

The school renovations are part of a major restructuring plan that began several years ago. The purpose of the plan was to ensure that the communities of Saint-André, Drummond, and Grand Falls could each keep an elementary school by redesigning them to meet 21st century standards and educational needs.

“This major plan is part of the provincial government’s efforts to promote growth and prosperity,” said Environment and Local Government Minister Danny Soucy. “We thank all those who have contributed to providing a more attractive place for students and school staff as well as for families and the Rural Community of Saint-André.”

Soucy spoke on behalf of Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claude Williams.

“The École Régionale-de-Saint-André now has modern, spacious facilities,” said Richard Landry, chair of the education council for the Francophone Nord-Ouest district. “We are delighted that it has been adapted to the needs of today’s learners and also for the needs of students for decades to come.”

The renovations, estimated at about $3.9 million, allow the school to accommodate 172 students from kindergarten to Grade 6.